Heartening news for anyone over forty who is trying to get pregnant with news that the pregnancy rate for women of that age has reached a record high.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the overall fertility rate has risen by around 3%, but the sharpest rise was amongst women over forty where the rate has gone up by 6%. In fact, in the past fifteen years the number of over forties getting pregnant has more than doubled, although the reasons for this are not clear.
In an age when it is easy to become obsessed with our biological clocks, the news must come as some welcome relief. More details are on the Office for National Statistics website
Friday, 29 February 2008
Thursday, 28 February 2008
Finding a counsellor
Many people who experience infertility and treatment start out by thinking they won't need any counselling. Some don't ever change their minds about that, preferring to talk to friends and family, but a counsellor can offer an impartial ear and may also be able to help you work through some strategies to deal with the hard times.
I'm researching a new book about IVF at the moment, and one of things medical staff believe can really help patients is getting the right kind of counselling early on, rather than letting things build up until you get to a stage where you feel you just can't cope any more.
It is definitely worth seeking out a counsellor who understands infertility. When I had IVF, I did go to one counselling session, but it wasn't at all helpful and put me off completely. I think it was mainly because I hadn't gone to see a specialist counsellor who would understand the issues involved.
Infertility counsellors have been trained in this, and many of them have worked in the field in another capacity before going into counselling. Qualified infertility counsellors will be affiliated to the British Infertility Counselling Association, and you can get more information from their website at www.bica.net .
I'm researching a new book about IVF at the moment, and one of things medical staff believe can really help patients is getting the right kind of counselling early on, rather than letting things build up until you get to a stage where you feel you just can't cope any more.
It is definitely worth seeking out a counsellor who understands infertility. When I had IVF, I did go to one counselling session, but it wasn't at all helpful and put me off completely. I think it was mainly because I hadn't gone to see a specialist counsellor who would understand the issues involved.
Infertility counsellors have been trained in this, and many of them have worked in the field in another capacity before going into counselling. Qualified infertility counsellors will be affiliated to the British Infertility Counselling Association, and you can get more information from their website at www.bica.net .
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Trials for new IVF technique
A Nottinghamshire fertility clinic is taking part in trials of a new device that allows embryos to be incubated in the womb rather than in the IVF laboratory.
When couples go through IVF, fertilised eggs are normally monitored in the laboratory, where they are kept in dishes in an incubator. The most promising embryos are then put back into the womb.
In the trials of this new device, half of the fertilised eggs will be put into a special narrow straw that can be put back into the womb immediately. The straw has tiny holes, not big enough for the embryos to get out, but that will allow them to benefit from developing in their natural environment. The straw is then removed, and the best embryos can be replaced as they would be in a normal cycle.
There's more about the device here , and you can contact the fertility clinic, CARE, here
When couples go through IVF, fertilised eggs are normally monitored in the laboratory, where they are kept in dishes in an incubator. The most promising embryos are then put back into the womb.
In the trials of this new device, half of the fertilised eggs will be put into a special narrow straw that can be put back into the womb immediately. The straw has tiny holes, not big enough for the embryos to get out, but that will allow them to benefit from developing in their natural environment. The straw is then removed, and the best embryos can be replaced as they would be in a normal cycle.
There's more about the device here , and you can contact the fertility clinic, CARE, here
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Fertility risk from anti-bacterials?
I've just been reading an article from an organisation called the National Skincare Institute in the States claiming that anti-bacterial soaps and skin products may cause fertility problems.
Many homes are full of anti-bacterial products nowadays, from soaps to handwashes and cleaners. The feature claims these contain a toxic pesticide, that can be absorbed through the skin and can cause all kinds of health problems, including infertility. There is little in the way of detail on the infertility front, and you may think it's just another of those endless things we are told not to use, or not to eat, or not to drink, when we are experiencing fertility problems. However, there have been questions raised about our use, or over-use, of anti-bacterials for some time, and you may like to read more on the subject here
Many homes are full of anti-bacterial products nowadays, from soaps to handwashes and cleaners. The feature claims these contain a toxic pesticide, that can be absorbed through the skin and can cause all kinds of health problems, including infertility. There is little in the way of detail on the infertility front, and you may think it's just another of those endless things we are told not to use, or not to eat, or not to drink, when we are experiencing fertility problems. However, there have been questions raised about our use, or over-use, of anti-bacterials for some time, and you may like to read more on the subject here
Monday, 25 February 2008
Viagra risks
Researchers have found that taking Viagra may damage male fertility, leading to warnings about using the drug.
The team at Queen's University in Belfast found that although Viagra makes sperm more active, it also damages their cap-like outer covering. If this is damaged early on, it makes it hard for the sperm to break into an egg and fertilise it.
Some fertility clinics have prescribed Viagra for both women and men, but this research, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, does suggest that it may do more harm than good for male fertility.
The team at Queen's University in Belfast found that although Viagra makes sperm more active, it also damages their cap-like outer covering. If this is damaged early on, it makes it hard for the sperm to break into an egg and fertilise it.
Some fertility clinics have prescribed Viagra for both women and men, but this research, published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, does suggest that it may do more harm than good for male fertility.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Give your thoughts on treatment abroad
Infertility Network UK is carrying out a survey to try to find out what people think about travelling overseas for treatment. More and more patients are now visiting clinics abroad, but there has been very little research in the field.
The survey isn't just for people who have already had treatment abroad, or for those who are actively considering it, but is open to everyone as Infertility Network UK are just as interested in finding out why some people wouldn't see it as a viable option.
The survey will only take a few minutes to complete - and there is a chance to give a more detailed response if you'd like. The findings will be used to produce information to help other patients who may be thinking of travelling abroad, and to raise awareness of the issue in the media.
If you could spare a few minutes, you can find the survey on the Infertility Network UK website here
The survey isn't just for people who have already had treatment abroad, or for those who are actively considering it, but is open to everyone as Infertility Network UK are just as interested in finding out why some people wouldn't see it as a viable option.
The survey will only take a few minutes to complete - and there is a chance to give a more detailed response if you'd like. The findings will be used to produce information to help other patients who may be thinking of travelling abroad, and to raise awareness of the issue in the media.
If you could spare a few minutes, you can find the survey on the Infertility Network UK website here
Single embryo success
Doctors at a London hospital have proved that putting back just one embryo during IVF doesn't have to reduce your chances of getting pregnant.
The team at Guys and St Thomas' managed to increase their pregnancy rate from 27% to 32%, whilst cutting their multiple birth rate in half. They did this by using more developed embryos, or blastocysts, and their newly published research shows that putting just one back at a time really does work.
For too long, the risks involved in multiple pregnancies have been played down by many fertility doctors, who don't have to see the pain and anguish of miscarriage, of premature, sick babies or of children who will have health problems for the rest of their lives. Of course, not every multiple pregnancy is problematic, but the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has estimated that more than a hundred IVF babies die every year as a result of multiple embryo transfers, and this is not a risk patients should have to take.
The new research shows that fertility clinics can move to single embryo transfer without cutting the chances of success, and others should be encouraged to follow this lead so that fertility patients no longer have to take unnecessary risks with their own health, and that of their future children.
You can read a report on the study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, in The Independent
The team at Guys and St Thomas' managed to increase their pregnancy rate from 27% to 32%, whilst cutting their multiple birth rate in half. They did this by using more developed embryos, or blastocysts, and their newly published research shows that putting just one back at a time really does work.
For too long, the risks involved in multiple pregnancies have been played down by many fertility doctors, who don't have to see the pain and anguish of miscarriage, of premature, sick babies or of children who will have health problems for the rest of their lives. Of course, not every multiple pregnancy is problematic, but the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has estimated that more than a hundred IVF babies die every year as a result of multiple embryo transfers, and this is not a risk patients should have to take.
The new research shows that fertility clinics can move to single embryo transfer without cutting the chances of success, and others should be encouraged to follow this lead so that fertility patients no longer have to take unnecessary risks with their own health, and that of their future children.
You can read a report on the study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, in The Independent
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